May, 2010

Local students enrolled in grades 7-12 who are interested in learning about the nursing profession are encouraged to sign-up for the 2010 Nursing Camp at Southern Ohio Medical Center.

The program will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, July 19 at the SOMC Friends Community Center, 1202 18th St., Portsmouth. Lunch will be provided by Life Ambulance.

“A lot of the time, students don’t find out what being a nurse is truly all about until their very first day of nursing school,” Katy Stephens, nurse recruiter at SOMC and coordinator of the camp, said. “This program lets them explore the idea of nursing before deciding that it’s really what they want to study during their collegiate careers.”

During the camp, participants will gain a better understanding of nursing responsibilities through one-on-one interaction with hospital employees, as well as many hands-on activities and simulation tools.

“We want to give students experiences they can learn and grow from,” Stephens said. “In the past, we concentrated more on having speakers come in to talk about nursing, but this year students will actually be able to get their hands in there and see what it’s all about. It should be a lot of fun and we’re really looking forward to it.”

Pre-registration is required by June 30 and must be completed online at www.somc.org/camp. The program is open to 30 participants.

Southern Ohio Medical Center has once again been ranked first among the Best Employers in Ohio, making an appearance on the list for the fifth consecutive year. Pictured above are members of the SOMC Hospice Services team: (l to r) Diane Colley, Thelma Bouts, Cindy Castle, Becky Dodridge, Stephanie Carter and Joanne Jordan.

he Society for Human Resource Management, Ohio State Council and Best Companies Group recently announced that Southern Ohio Medical Center has once again been ranked first among the Best Employers in Ohio.

“This is quite an honor for our organization and further proves that SOMC houses some of the best employees in the nation,” SOMC CEO Randy Arnett said. “The selection is based largely on the survey of our own employees and their view of our organization and says a lot about us as a quality employer and a great place to work.”

The survey and awards program was designed to identify, recognize and honor the Best Employers in Ohio, benefiting the state’s economy, its workforce and businesses. The distinction is given based on an evaluation of various attributes including hiring processes, celebration in the workplace, caring among team members and communication.

“We are very proud of the family atmosphere here at SOMC, which resonates in our relationships with one another and with our patients,” Vicki Noel, vice president of SOMC Human Resources, said. “This recognition, along with our Magnet Designation, VPP Star Status and FORTUNE Best Places to Work distinction, not only emanates pride to our community through employees, but also strengthens our recruitment and retention efforts.”

The 2010 Best Employers list is made up of companies split into three categories: small sized (15-24 employees), medium-sized (25-249 employees) and large-sized (250 employees or more). SOMC has been named among other large companies and is on the list for the fifth consecutive year.

To be considered for participation, companies had to fulfill eligibility requirements which include being a for-profit, not-for-profit business or government entity; being a publicly or privately held business; having a facility in Ohio; having at least 15 employees in Ohio; and being in business for a minimum of one year.

Companies are then required to enter a two-part survey process to determine the Best Employers list.

The first section of the survey evaluates each nominated company’s workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics; the second measures employee experience and satisfaction. The combined scores determine the top companies and the final ranking, managed by the Best Companies Group.

Southern Ohio Medical Center’s Wound Healing Center recently won the regional quarterly award from the National Healing Corporation for the first quarter of 2010.

The trophy is presented to a wound center that ranks highest in performance and quality for the quarter. The Wound Healing Center at SOMC boasts a 91 percent heal rate and 98 percent patient satisfaction.

The center also offers a diversified panel of physicians including such specialties as general and plastic surgery as well as vascular and podiatry. Shown displaying the trophy are members of the Wound Healing Leadership Team.

For more information about the SOMC Wound Healing Center or to schedule an appointment, please call (740)-356-8775.

Southern Ohio Medical Center (SOMC) has been named a Gold Level Start! Fit Friendly Company by the American Heart Association. This is the third year SOMC has earned the recognition.

The award is given to companies that demonstrate a commitment to promoting exercise and good nutrition in the workplace. To reach the gold level, a company must meet certain criteria including offering employees physical activity support, increasing healthy eating options at work and promoting a wellness culture.

According to the American Heart Association website, the Start! Fit Friendly program is designed promote positive change in businesses by recognizing companies that create a culture of physical activity in the workplace.

Southern Ohio Medical Center’s Portsmouth LIFE Center recently held a 10-hour Zumba™ Instructor Training Basics 1 workshop for 63 students to become certified Zumba Fitness Instructors. Students came from several states including New York, Pennsylvania and Indiana, among others. Eight local students participated and Doug and Joan Jones from Studio Zumba Ohio in Vandalia led the class.

“On behalf of the SOMC LIFE Center, I would like to congratulate the participants who completed the course,” Debbie Kielmar, lead fitness instructor at SOMC, said. “We anticipate more trainings like this in the future at the SOMC LIFE Center.”

For more information about classes at the SOMC LIFE Center, call Debbie at (740)-356-7391. Shown above are the 63 newly trained Zumba Fitness Instructors.

More than 400 attendees dressed for an evening of glitz, glamour and good times as they joined to celebrate their years of achievement during the 2010 Service Awards Banquet at Southern Ohio Medical Center. The event was held May 7 at the Friends Community Center. Employees celebrating anniversaries in five-year increments were invited to the celebration and included the following:

Marion Hochstetler, M.D., vascular surgeon at Southern Ohio Medical Center recently received board certification from the American Board of Surgery.

Dr. Hochstetler received his medical degree from Northeastern Ohio University’s College of Medicine, Rootstown, Ohio. He completed a residency in general surgery at Summa Health System in Akron, Ohio and a fellowship in vascular surgery at Greenville Hospital in Greenville, S.C. He is now board certified in general surgery and vascular surgery.

Dr. Hochstetler is in practice with the SOMC Surgical Associates. The office is located at 1711 27th St., Braunlin Building Suite 402, Portsmouth, Ohio. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (740) 356-3562.

Dr. Roberts is a physician specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. She is from Lewis County, Kentucky. Dr. Roberts received her medical degree from the Pikeville College School of Osteopathic Medicine in Pikeville, Ky. and her bachelor of science degree in biology from Morehead State University. She completed an internship and residency at Marshall University in Huntington, W.Va.

Dr. Roberts is currently accepting new patients and can be reached at 1611 27th Street, Fulton Building, Suite 204, Portsmouth. For an appointment or for more information call (740)-353-3196.

Southern Ohio Medical Center’s Portsmouth LIFE Center recently held a master Zumba™ class taught by Zumba Education Specialists, Doug and Joan Jones from Studio Zumba Ohio. More than 80 participants learned new Zumba routines and benefited from a high-energy workout. The event was a fundraiser and proceeds will benefit the SOMC Endowment Fund. Shown above is Doug Jones leading the class.